TIME OUT with Joe Flanagan

May 15, 2018

Well Done!

Congratulations to the Boone Central/Newman Grove state track and field qualifiers.
Congrats and a pat on the back, also, to everyone involved in hosting the B-4 District competition in Albion this past Thursday. You gave a virtual clinic for running a major track and field meet.
Many might not realize the size of the job, the almost countless details entailed in a well-run meet. It’s no easy feat to organize, coordinate and implement a plan that smoothly handles athletes from 10 schools and the fans who come to enjoy the action.
I’ve been to many, many meets through the years, and have witnessed the good and the bad. Believe me, the good are much more enjoyable. The B-4 District was one of the best!
Boone Central/Newman Grove Coach Kris Pestel headed the effort with her organization. Pestel is stepping down from her Cardinal track and field post following this season, after many years of service. She departs on a high note, with a successfully hosted district meet and six final state qualifiers.
Pestel was quick to give credit to all the school personnel and community volunteers involved in Thursday’s success. She coordinated a small army of workers, many recognizable in neon green ‘Official’ t-shirts, numbering approximately 150. That’s right – 150!
Included were administration, teachers and staff from Boone Central (Albion and Petersburg campuses) and Newman Grove schools, community members, high school and junior high students, trainers, and members of Albion Fire & Rescue and the Albion Police Department.
Everyone had a job, large or small, and all were accomplished in smooth coordination.
Make no mistake, this was a win for Boone Central/Newman Grove and the Albion, Petersburg and Newman Grove communities, just like the victories by Cardinal athletes on the track. There was plenty of Cardinal Pride in evidence Thursday.
Hopefully, we’ll see more major meets here in the future – the beautiful Boone Central facility has been underutilized to this point.
For now, though, it’s sufficient to give a round of applause to all involved in the B-4 District spectacle – school personnel and students, community volunteers and professionals, and, certainly, the athletes.
Well done everyone, and good luck in Omaha Cardinals!